Welcome, friend—I’m glad you’ve pulled up a chair on the front porch of my little corner of the internet. My name is Michael Joe Harvell, and I live my life with one simple mission: to glorify God, encourage people, and leave this world a little better than I found it. I’m a husband, father, pastor, writer, Jeep enthusiast, and front-porch thinker who believes that life is best lived on purpose. I serve as pastor of Eureka Baptist Church in Anderson, South Carolina, where I get the joy of preaching, teaching, and walking with people through the ups and downs of everyday life. Over the years, I’ve discovered that faith isn’t just about Sunday mornings—it’s about living every single day in the presence and power of God. I’m also an author. My books—including The Grace Exchange: How Forgiven People Forgive People and The Word Works—grow out of the sermons, stories, and lessons I’ve learned on this journey. I write in a style that’s conversational, a little front-porch-rocking-chair, and full of stories, quotes, and Scripture that point us back to the goodness of God’s Word. When I’m not writing or preaching, you might find me sitting outside with my Bible and journal, cruising the backroads in my Jeep Gladiator, or sharing a meal and some laughs with the good folks God has put in my life. I love helping people find peace in their spirit, strength in their body, and encouragement in their soul. This blog is simply an extension of that mission. Here you’ll find devotions, encouragement, reflections, and practical insights for living a life of purpose, peace, and joy. So grab a cup of coffee, pull up a rocking chair, and stay awhile—I’d be honored to walk this road of faith with you.
Luke 6:28 says, “Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” Now, I don’t know about you, but that’s a tough one. Blessing folks who cut me off in traffic is not my spiritual gift. Praying for the fella who talked behind my back? That takes a level of grace I’m still working on.
But Jesus didn’t say, “Be nice when you feel like it.” He told us to bless and pray—period. Why? Because love changes things. Not just them, but us. See, when we hold on to bitterness, it’s like drinking poison and hoping the other person gets sick. But when we choose to bless instead of curse, we break free.
So today, when somebody tests your patience, don’t give ‘em a piece of your mind—give ‘em a piece of God’s grace. Say a prayer instead of a complaint. And watch how God works, not just in them, but in you.
Romans 12:21 says, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Now, that’s easier to say than to live out, ain’t it? Because life has a way of serving up a fresh plate of trouble just when you thought you’d ordered peace.
Evil don’t take a day off. It’ll cut you off in traffic, talk bad about you behind your back, and sometimes sit right next to you at the dinner table. And the natural instinct is to fight fire with fire—get even, hold a grudge, make ‘em pay. But Paul tells us something radical: don’t let the bad win. Instead, hit it with so much good that evil don’t stand a chance.
See, overcoming evil with good isn’t about being weak; it’s about being strong enough to not let bitterness run your life. It’s choosing kindness when folks are mean, choosing forgiveness when revenge feels better, and choosing love when hate is easier. That’s not weakness. That’s power.
So today, whatever comes your way—rudeness, betrayal, frustration—meet it with goodness. Because at the end of the day, evil only wins if it changes who you are. And friend, you were made for better.
Some folks take to cigars like a duck to water, while others need a little nudge to appreciate the finer things in life. The Monte Cristo Classic Series is one of those smokes that, much like a Southern sunrise, takes its time to reveal its true beauty, but when it does, you’re in for something special.
Now, I’ve smoked a fair share of cigars in my time, and let me tell you, the Monte Cristo Classic isn’t just any cigar. It’s the kind of smoke that makes you sit back, kick up your feet, and ponder life’s great mysteries. It’s a contemplative cigar, the kind you’d expect Mark Twain to have dangling from his lips as he spun a yarn about life on the Mississippi.
The Monte Cristo Classic is like a casual stroll through the woods. You don’t just rush down the trail – you savor every step, every puff, as if the world has slowed down just for you. The construction is impeccable, like a well-built cabin nestled in the way back in the woods on the side of a mountain beside the rolling river. The draw is easy, and the burn is even, like a slow, steady hike along the creek bank. You’re not in any hurry; you’re there to enjoy the journey.
The flavor is a harmonious blend of smooth, creamy notes with a hint of cedar and a whisper of nuts—like sitting out in the yard, watching the sun dip below the horizon, the air filled with the scent of pine and the promise of a cool evening breeze. It’s a smoke that wraps around you like an old quilt, comforting and familiar, yet always with something new to discover.
The Monte Cristo Classic is a reliable companion, the kind of cigar you’d light up after a long day of wrestling with the absurdities of life. It doesn’t try to impress you with bells and whistles; it just delivers what a cigar ought to—pure, unadulterated pleasure. The Monte Cristo Classic is a reminder that, sometimes, the best things in life are the simplest.
So, if you’re looking for a cigar that’s as timeless as the stars in the night sky, as invigorating as a mountain breeze and as satisfying as the punchline to your favorite joke, the look no further. The Monte Cristo Classic Series is a smoke that’s more than a cigar—it’s an experience, one that’s worth every moment you spend in its company.
Michael Joe Harvell 